Clasp construction for bracelet

ABSTRACT

A clasp construction for use in adjustably interconnecting the free ends of a bracelet on the wrist of a wearer, including a clamp assembly that receives one of the free ends of the bracelet therein in slidable, adjustable relation and a coupling assembly that is secured to the other free end of the bracelet, the coupling assembly including a coupling member that engages the clamp assembly for removably mounting the bracelet on the wrist of the wearer.

United States Patent Weiss Mar. 5, 1974 CLASP CONSTRUCTION FOR BRACELET FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: ""8 wuss, New York, 1,138,122 12/1968 Great Britain 24 201 EN [73] Assignee: Kestenman Bros., Mfg. Co.,

Providence, R.1. a part interest Primary Exammer3emard Gelak Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette [22] led: 1971 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Salter & Michaelson [21] Appl. No.: 212,549

[57] ABSTRACT [52] us Cl. 24/78 24/l91 A clasp construction for use in adjustably intercon- [51] Int. A44 b 11/25 fleeting the free ends of a bracelet on the wrist of a 58 m f Se h u 24 78 77 7 l l wearer, including a clamp assembly that receives one 1 le o are l l 9 192 of the free ends of the bracelet therein in slidable, ad- [56] References Cited justable relation and a coupling assembly that is secured to the other free end of the bracelet, the cou- UNITED STATES PATENTS pling assembly including a coupling member that en- 2,015,308 9/1935 Heer 24/78 gages the clamp assembly for removably mounting the 2,273,218 2/1942 Prestman 24/78 bracelet on the wrist of the wearer 2,184,319 12/1939 Schoenmger 24/78 3,425,104 2/1969 Mochizuki 24/78 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CLASP CONSTRUCTION FOR BRACELET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a clasp construction that is used with straps, bands or bracelets, and the like, and interconnects the ends of a bracelet for mounting the bracelet in fastened position on the wrist of a wearer.

Prior to the instant invention, various kinds of clasps have been used in bracelet constructions or with wristwatch straps or bands for fastening the bracelet on the wrist of the wearer. However, in most instances, the clasp merely joined the ends of the bracelet together; and unless the band were made of leather and included the conventional buckle, the band could not be adjusted by the wearer to fit his wrist. Adjustable clasps for use with bracelets have been known heretofore, but normally they were not conveniently usable with metal bands and were moreover somewhat complicated in construction that not only made such clasps difficult to use but prohibitively increased the cost thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable clasp for use in interconnecting the free ends ofa band, strap or bracelet on the wrist of a wearer and includes a clamp assembly that receives one of the free ends of the bracelet therein in slidable, adjustable relation. A clamp element is located in the clamp assembly for engaging the bracelet as received in the adjusted position thereof, and a lock element is also mounted in the clamp assembly for engagement with the clamp element for securing the clamp assembly to the bracelet after adjustment thereon. In order to join the free ends of the bracelet, a coupling assembly is secured to the other free end thereof and includes a coupling member for removably engaging the clamp assembly, thereby coupling the bracelet ends together on the wrist of the wearer. The coupling assembly also includes a pivotal cover member that is movable to a closed position wherein it engages the clamp assembly in overlying, locking relation after the coupling member has interconnected the coupling assembly to the clamp assembly. Since the coupling member is easily'engaged and disengaged from the clamp assembly, the bracelet may be easily locked around the wrist of the wearer or removed therefrom as required.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable clasp construction for use with a bracelet or the like, wherein the clasp construction interconnects the ends of the bracelet for fastening the bracelet on the wrist of a wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp construction having a clamp assembly that is adjustably clamped in fixed position on an end of a bracelet, the clasp construction further including a coupling assembly that is fixed to another end of a bracelet and that is removably secured to the clamp assembly when the bracelet is located on the wrist of the wearer.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for use in a clasp construction of a bracelet, wherein the clamp assembly is adjusted to size the bracelet to the wrist of a wearer after manipulation of a lock plate that releases the clamp assembly from the clamped position thereof on the bracelet.

Still another object is to provide a safety lock for use in a bracelet clasp construction, wherein a cover member is secured to a coupling assembly and is interlocked to a clamp assembly to securely fasten the bracelet on the wrist of a wearer.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 1

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the clasp construction embodied in the present invention as mounted on a bracelet and is shown in the closed and clamped position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view with parts shown in section of the clasp construction illustrated in F IG. 1, wherein the clamp assembly is located in the unlocked position on the bracelet for adjustment thereon, the cover member of the coupling assembly being located in the open position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the clasp construction illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the clamp and lock members as located in the unlocked position prior to the mounting of the clamp assembly on the bracelet;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lock plate that is mounted for pivotal movement in the clamp assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clamp plate that is mounted for pivotal movement in the clamp assembly; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the clasp construction showing the clamp and coupling assemblies as embodied in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, the adjustable clasp construction embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and as shown has general application for use on a bracelet, strap or band. In this connection, the adjustable clasp construction 10 is designed for use on a bracelet that is normally formed in two sections, indicated at 12 and 14, one end of each of the sections 12 and 14 being connected to a watch or the like. It is understood that the adjustable clasp construction 10 may alsobe used with'other ornamental jewelry articles in which a bracelet, band or strap is disconnected at the free ends thereof for mounting on the wrist of a wearer.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the adjustable clasp construction 10 includes a clamp assembly generally indicated at 16 that is mounted on the free end of the bracelet section 12 in adjustable relation as will hereinafter he described. Permanently fixed to the free end of the bracelet section 14 is a coupling assembly generally indicated at 18; and as will'be described, the coupling assembly 18 is removably interconnected to the clamp assembly 16 for joining the bracelet sections 12 and 14 when the bracelet is mounted on the wrist of a wearer.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the clamp assembly 16 which is adjustably fixed on the bracelet section 12 includes a bottom wall 20 to which side walls 22 are integrally joined. Formed on the side walls 22 and extending inwardly thereof are protuberances 24, which provide for receivinga cover member of the coupling assembly 18 between the walls 22 in frictional relation. Extending between the walls 22 and joined thereto adjacent to an end thereof is a pin 26 that defines the means by which the coupling assembly is joined to the clamp assembly 16, as will hereinafter be described.

In order to adjustably mount the clamp assembly 16 on the bracelet section 12, a clamp plate 28 and a lock plate 30 are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the clamp plate 28 is formed with an end flange 32 having outwardly extending projections 34, the projections 34 extending beyond the edges of the plate 28. The clamp plate 28 is mounted for pivotal movement in the clamp assembly 16 by locating the projections 34 in rectangularly shaped openings 38 that are formed in the side walls 22. The openings 38 are somewhat enlarged with respect to the projections 34, thereby providing for shifting as well as pivotal movement of the plate 28. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the clamp plate 28 is shown in the position prior to the sliding of the bracelet section 12 thereunder when the clamp assembly 16 is mounted on the bracelet section 12. As will be described, the clamp assembly 16 is adjusted longitudinally of the bracelet section 12 to the required adjusted position; and thereafter, the clamp plate 28 is locked in place by the lock plate 30. For this purpose, the lock plate 30 includes a flange 42 having outwardly extending projections 44, the projections 44 extending through circular openings 48 formed in the side walls 22. Referring to FIG. 2, the lock plate 30 is shown in the release position thereof, wherein the clamp plate 28 is resting on the bracelet section 12. In this position the clamp assembly 16 is shiftable longitudinally of the bracelet end 12 to the required adjusted position. Once the clamp assembly 16 has been located in the required adjusted position, the lock plate 30 is pivoted as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 to the over-center position on the clamp plate 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the lock plate 30 forces the clamp plate 28 into positive engagement with the bracelet section 12 to lock the clamp assembly 16 in the adjusted position on the bracelet. The lock plate 30 is further formed with a hole 50 that receives a suitable instrument for lifting the lock plate 30 from the locked to the open position thereof.

In order to join the bracelet section 14 to the bracelet section 12 around the wrist of the wearer, the coupling assembly 18 is provided; and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the coupling assembly 18 includes a bottom wall 52 to which are joined side walls 54. Joined to the bottom wall 52 is an offset outwardly extending tongue 58 that has a hook portion 60 formed on the outer end thereof and that is engageable with the pin 26 when the coupling assembly 18 is connected to the clamp assembly 16. The lateral dimension ofthe tongue 58 is somewhat less than the space between the side walls 22 of the clamp assembly 16 so that when the tongue 58 engages the pin 26, portions of the pin 26 are exposed adjacent to the walls 22, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

Extending through the walls 54 of the coupling assembly I8 and secured thereto is a pin 62 on which a cover member generally indicated at 64 is pivotally mounted. The cover member 64 includes a curved cover plate 66 to which side flanges 68 are joined and that depend therefrom. The outermost end of the cover plate terminates in a finger grip 70 for lifting the cover member from the closed position thereof. Suitable openings are formed in the side flanges 68 of the cover member 64 through which the pin 62 extends for pivotally mounting the cover member 64 on the coupling assembly 18. Formed in the flanges 68 are slots 72, which are defined by edges 76; and extending forwardly of the slots 72 and formed as part of the flanges 68 are downwardly turned edges 77. The coupling assembly 18 is joined to the bracelet section 14 by a rear pin 80 that projects through the side walls 54, the bracelet section 14 extending around the pin 80 and being secured in any convenient manner for attachment thereof to the coupling assembly 18.

In use of the adjustable clasp construction 10, the coupling assembly 18 is permanently attached to the bracelet section 14, and the clamp assembly 16 is mounted on the other bracelet section 12 for adjustment thereon in accordance with the size of the wrist of the wearer. In this connection and in order to obtain the required adjustment of the clamp assembly 16, the lock plate 30 is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the clamp plate 28 is released from positive engagement with the bracelet section. The clamp assembly 16 is then shifted longitudinally of the bracelet section 12 to the required adjusted position. The enlarged openings 38 in the walls 22 of the clamp assembly 16 provide for shifting of the clamp plate 28 therein so that the clamp assembly 16 can be moved on the bracelet to the adjusted position thereof. The clamp assembly 16 is locked in place in the adjusted position by pivoting the lock plate 30 to the over-center position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the clamp plate 28 is firmly engaged with the bracelet section 12.

Assuming now that the wearer wishes to mount the bracelet and watch secured thereto on his wrist, the hook portion 60 of the tongue 58 is hooked around the pin 26 and; thereafter, the cover member 64 is moved to the closed position thereof. In moving the cover member 64 to the closed position, the curved cover plate 66 is pivoted on the pivot pin .62, the slots 72 being received on the portion of the pin 26 adjacent to the walls 22. The cover member 64 then overlies the clamp assembly 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and it is locked in place by snapping the edges 77 over the inner protuberances 24. The bracelet is removed from the wrist of the wearer by simply grasping the finger grip and lifting the curve plate 66 to the open position; whereafter, the tongue 58 is removed from the pin 26 to release the coupling assembly 18 from the clamp assembly 16.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it'will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable clasp for interconnecting sections of a bracelet on the wrist of a wearer, comprising a clamp assembly for receiving one of the bracelet sections in slidable, adjustable relation and a coupling assembly secured to the other bracelet section and being engageable with said clamp assembly for interlocking the bracelet on the wrist of a wearer, said clamp assembly, including a bottom wall and opposed side walls joined to said bottom wall in perpendicular relation thereto, a clamp plate mounted for pivotal movement on said side walls and being engageable with the bracelet section that is received in said clamp assembly, a lock plate pivotally mounted on said side walls and engageable with said clamp plate for locking said clamp plate to the bracelet section with which it is engageable, thereby fixing said clamp assembly in adjusted position thereon, a cross pin extending between said side walls and joined thereto, said coupling assembly including a frame having a bottom wall to which opposed side walls are joined, a hook shaped tongue joined to thc bottom wall of said frame and extending outwardly therefrom to define an extension with respect thereto and being engageable with said cross pin for interconnecting said coupling assembly to said clamp assembly, a pin joined to the side walls of said coupling assembly and a cover member being mounted on said pin for pivotal movement with respect to said coupling assembly side walls, said cover member including an elongated curved plate to which side flanges are joined adjacent to the rear end thereof, aligned openings formed in said flanges through which said pin extends for mounting said cover member in the closed position thereof.

3. An adjustable clasp as claimed in claim 2, the flanges of said cover member being frictionally engageable with the opposed walls of said clamp assembly when said cover member is moved to the closed position thereof.

4. An adjustable clasp as claimed in claim 3, the lateral dimension of said cover member being less than the dimension between the spaced walls of said clamp assembly, wherein the cover member is received between the spaced walls of the clamp assembly in the closed position thereof. 

1. An adjustable clasp for interconnecting sections of a bracelet on the wrist of a wearer, comprising a clamp assembly for receiving one of the bracelet sections in slidable, adjustable relation and a coupling assembly secured to the other bracelet section and being engageable with said clamp assembly for interlocking the bracelet on the wrist of a wearer, said clamp assembly including a bottom wall and opposed side walls joined to said bottom wall in perpendicular relation thereto, a clamp plate mounted for pivotal movement on said side walls and being engageable with the bracelet section that is received in said clamp assembly, a lock plate pivotally mounted on said side walls and engageable with said clamp plate for locking said clamp plate to the bracelet section with which it is engageable, thereby fixing said clamp assembly in adjusted position thereon, a cross pin extending between said side walls and joined thereto, said coupling assembly including a frame having a bottom wall to which opposed side walls are joined, a hook shaped tongue joined to the bottom wall of said frame and extending outwardly therefrom to define an extension with respect thereto and being engageable with said cross pin for interconnecting said coupling assembly to said clamp assembly, a pin joined to the side walls of said coupling assembly and a cover member being mounted on said pin for pivotal movement with respect to said coupling assembly side walls, said cover member including an elongated curved plate to which side flanges are joined adjacent to the rear end thereof, aligned openings formed in said flanges through which said pin extends for mounting said cover member thereon, said cover member being movable into overlying relation with respect to said clamp assembly to conceal said clamp plate and lock plate after the tongue has been engaged with said cross pin, wherein said cover member is locaTed in the closed position.
 2. An adjustable clasp as claimed in claim 1, the forward edges of the flanges of said cover member having slots formed therein that receive the cross pin of said clamp assembly therein for firmly locating said cover member in the closed position thereof.
 3. An adjustable clasp as claimed in claim 2, the flanges of said cover member being frictionally engageable with the opposed walls of said clamp assembly when said cover member is moved to the closed position thereof.
 4. An adjustable clasp as claimed in claim 3, the lateral dimension of said cover member being less than the dimension between the spaced walls of said clamp assembly, wherein the cover member is received between the spaced walls of the clamp assembly in the closed position thereof. 